While still teenagers, they formed after guitarist Cole Alexander and bassist Jared Swilley left the Renegades, and guitarist Ben Eberbaugh left the Reruns. Drummer Joe Bradley joined a few months later. They released their first 7" in late 2001/early 2002 on their own Die Slaughterhaus label.
Just days before a tour was to begin in December 2002, Ben Eberbaugh was killed in a car accident after his car was hit by a drunk driver. The band carried on believing that Eberbaugh would want them to continue.
The band's debut full length album was released on Bomp! Records in 2003. Eberbaugh was replaced by Jack Hines, a friend of the band members, but he too was eventually replaced by current guitarist, and former Renegades member, Ian St. Pe , in 2004.
The Black Lips have a reputation for crazy live shows that have included vomiting, urinating, nudity, band members kissing, fireworks, and a chicken. They have slowly built a fanbase that appreciates their energy and style that is a rough mishmash of blues, rock, doo-wop, country, and punk.
They gained national attention in 2006 with features in Spin and Rolling Stone magazines. The band got exposure in the New York Times for being the hardest working band during the 2007 South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, in which they played a dozen shows over a three-day period.
In September 2007 their most recent album entitled Good Bad Not Evil was released. The Black Lips made their American national television debut in October 2007 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and played O Katrina.
The band also has songs from previous recording sessions, and they will eventually be released by In The Red Records.
The Black Lips are going to star in a film called Let It Be. They will play musicians in a fictitious '1980s era DIY band called The Renegades. The movie is set for production in 2008.
Cole, Jared and Joe also play in a band called The Spooks, along with members of Deerhunter and The Kiwis. The Spooks have recorded an album which should be released in 2007 or 2008 on the Die Slaughterhaus label. Ian also plays in a blasphemous garage punk band called The Original Three. There is a full length record out on Empty records and a single out on SYA records (Italy). The Original Three will have a new single coming out in December 2007 on Savage records (Sweden). Jared plays in a band called The Gaye Blades. Rob's House Records has released one 7" by The Gaye Blades, and another one should be released before the end of 2007. Cole has also released solo material under the name Old King Cole Younger. There is one split 10" release of his material on Rob's House Records that features Bradford Cox of Deerhunter, under the name of Atlas Sound, on the other side.
In 2009, the band released their fifth album, "200 Million Thousand", on Vice Records.
Band Members
* Cole Alexander (Old King Cole Younger) - Vocals, Guitar (2000 - present)
* Jared Swilley - Vocals, Bass Guitar (2000 - present)
* Joe Bradley - Vocals, Drums (2000 - present)
* Ian St. Pe - Guitar (2005 - 2014)
* Jack Hines - former Guitar (2002 - 2005, 2014 - present)
* Ben Eberbaugh - Guitarz(2000 - 2002) - deceased
I've Got A Knife
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’ve got a knife tonight, I’ve got a knife tonight
I see that girl (see that girl) and look my way (look my way)
I see that girl (see that girl), can cut away (cut away)
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I see that boy (see that boy) and look my way (look my way)
I see that boy (see that boy), can’t cut away (cut away)
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
The lyrics of Black Lips's song, "I've Got A Knife," are rather ominous and unsettling. The repeated line, "I've got a knife tonight," is haunting and suggests that the singer is either feeling threatened or dangerous. There is a sense of violence implied in the song, as the lyrics talk about seeing a girl and a boy and "cutting" them away. The repetition of the phrase "I've got a knife" creates a sense of foreboding and danger, almost as if the singer is daring someone to cross them.
The song could be interpreted in a few different ways. One interpretation could be that the singer is feeling threatened or scared and is equipping themselves with a weapon for protection. Another interpretation could be that the singer is feeling volatile and aggressive, and is prepared to lash out at anyone who crosses them. The lyrics are intentionally ambiguous and leave a lot up to the listener's imagination.
The repetition of the "see that girl" and "see that boy" lines could suggest that the singer is fixated on specific people, almost as if they are stalking them. The phrase "can't cut away" implies that the singer is in control of the situation, and their victim is helpless to escape. Overall, "I've Got A Knife" is a dark and unsettling song that leaves a lot up to interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
I’ve got a knife tonight, I’ve got a knife tonight
I am carrying a knife with me and I am ready to use it tonight
I see that girl (see that girl) and look my way (look my way)
I notice a girl and she looks at me too
I see that girl (see that girl), can cut away (cut away)
I am attracted to the girl and want to have a romantic/sexual relationship with her
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I am still carrying the knife and emphasizing its importance
I see that boy (see that boy) and look my way (look my way)
I notice a boy and he looks at me too
I see that boy (see that boy), can’t cut away (cut away)
I am not interested in the boy and want to distance myself from him
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I am still carrying the knife and emphasizing its importance
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I am still carrying the knife and emphasizing its importance
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I am still carrying the knife and emphasizing its importance
I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife
I am still carrying the knife and emphasizing its importance
Contributed by Lauren H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.